Evidence-based design (EBD) for hospitals is an emerging health care trend. The concept is based on research that calls for specific architecture and building practices to create more efficient hospitals. If you’re planning a hospital construction project, here’s why you may want to consider this unique type of design for your building.

What Is Evidence-Based Hospital Design?

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), hospitals with EBD architecture feature physical characteristics aimed at improving efficiency for patients and staff. These focus on both the quality and safety of services, and may feature noise-reducing construction materials, workstations that are easily accessible for staff, single-patient rooms, and enhanced layouts that make navigation seamless. 

How Does This Improve Efficiency?

This unique architecture aims to improve outcomes in hospitals in a range of ways:

• Patient Safety: Design elements such as proper handrail placement can reduce patient falls, while innovative air filtration systems and single-patient rooms minimize the risk of infections. Well-lit, soundproofed spaces can also help doctors focus easier.
• Patient Satisfaction: Maximizing sound-absorption and providing ample space for visitors help patients feel more at ease during their recovery. Improved navigation may also reduce stress for patients and their families during visits. Increased natural light is also associated with improved mood. 
• Staff Morale: High turnover of health care professionals is a growing problem for hospitals, affecting profit margins and patient care. Decentralizing nurses’ stations so they can spend more time focused on patients and less time traveling through the hospital can boost staff satisfaction. Creating adaptable rooms to reduce patient moves will also help increase productivity and minimize excess responsibilities placed on nurses.
• Revenue: While the EBD framework may require more upfront consideration, it’s designed with the future in mind. Thanks to operational savings and increased revenue resulting from the benefits listed above, research suggests the costs of EBD architecture may be recouped in just one year.

If you’re seeking expertise in engineering and architecture to guide you through your hospital planning project, turn to Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC. Serving Vancouver, WA, and Kalispell, MT, this team has been providing their expertise for projects across all major markets for more than five decades. View their portfolio of completed buildings online or call (360) 852-8746 for their Vancouver location, or (406) 755-3208 for Kalispell.